Cooling coil drain pan
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling coil drain pans are inefficient in condensation drainage and prone to ice build-up, leading to bacterial growth and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
A cooling coil drain pan with a triple slope configuration base wall and insulated underside, featuring a drainage aperture with a strainer and rotatable tubular coil supports for efficient condensation flow and prevention of ice formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional drain pan is used, then it can collect condensation, but drainage efficiency is poor and ice build-up occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The base wall is designed with a triple slope configuration where different regions have different slopes (first slope, second slope, third slope) to optimize water flow paths. This local variation in geometric properties ensures efficient drainage while preventing ice accumulation in critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces insulation cavities in the vertical dimension beneath the base wall to prevent ice build-up. By adding this dimensional element (insulation layer), the system addresses the ice problem without compromising the drainage function of the base wall.
2Reliability
If a conventional drain pan is used, then it can collect condensation, but bacterial growth occurs due to poor drainage
Solution Approach 1:
The triple slope configuration creates specific flow paths that direct water efficiently toward the drain aperture, preventing stagnant water accumulation in localized areas. This ensures continuous water movement that prevents bacterial growth while maintaining collection capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If insulation is added to prevent ice build-up, then ice prevention improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation cavities are integrated into the existing drain pan structure rather than being added as separate components. The cavities utilize the space beneath the base wall, merging the insulation function with the structural design to minimize added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The base wall structure serves multiple functions: it collects condensation, directs water flow via triple slope configuration, and provides a substrate for insulation to prevent ice build-up. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures efficient drainage of condensation and prevents ice build-up, reducing bacterial growth and facilitating regular maintenance by promoting smooth water flow and temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
the condensate resulting from the cooling coils flows downward with gravity, and into the drain pan
Implementation Method 2
an underside of the cooling coil drain pan includes cavities filled with insulation
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling coil drain pan for an HVAC air handler unit including a base wall with a plurality of side walls extending upwardly therefrom so as to define a pan cavity into which condensation produced by cooling coils of the HVAC air handler unit collects, the base wall is constructed with a triple slope configuration allowing for the flow of condensation collecting in the cooling coil drain pan from a high point along the base wall to a low point along the base wall for the efficient drainage of the condensation and an underside of the cooling coil drain pan includes cavities filled with insulation.